Home Office

Asylum

Lord Lansley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of asylum claims resolved after six months were found to be well-founded in the latest period for which the statistics are available.

Lord Bates: In 2015 there were a total of 10,199 asylum claims which were concluded six months or more after their initial application date. Of these, 4,620 claims were found to be entitled to a grant of asylum based on a well-founded fear of persecution.

Immigrants: Detainees

Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to setting a limit to how long individuals can be held at immigration removal centres.

Lord Bates: The Government does not believe that a time limit on immigration detention would be appropriate. Home Office published policy is centred on a presumption in favour of liberty. Depriving someone of their liberty is subject to careful consideration and scrutiny, with appropriate account taken of individual circumstances. The introduction of an arbitrary time limit could lead to the release of foreign criminals and illegal immigrants even when their removal is imminent. Home Office guidance is clear that detention must be used sparingly and for the shortest period reasonably necessary to achieve its purpose. Published statistics show that, in the year to December 2015, over 90 per cent of individuals leaving detention had been detained for no longer than four months.

Females: Human Rights

Lord Quirk: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the fact that more than 50 per cent of pubescent girls under 10 in Cameroon are subjected to "breast ironing", what steps they are taking to prevent the spread of that practice among the Cameroonian diaspora living in the UK.

Lord Bates: As set out in the Government’s new Violence against Women and Girls Strategy, we will continue to challenge the cultural attitudes that may underpin harmful practices, and ensure professionals have the confidence to confront these issues, safeguard victims and bring perpetrators to justice.We are clear that political or cultural sensitivities must not get in the way of preventing and uncovering brutal practices, including breast ironing. Where breast ironing is practised on girls it is child abuse and should be treated as such by all frontline professionals. The clear legal frameworks that apply to child abuse apply to breast ironing.

Refugees: Syria

Baroness Sheehan: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many refugees have been brought to the UK under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons scheme; how many of those refugees were children; and where within the UK those refugees have been dispersed.

Lord Bates: The Home Office is committed to publishing data in an orderly way as part of the regular quarterly Immigration Statistics, in line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. The next set of figures will be in the quarterly release on 26 May 2016 and will cover the period January – March 2016.Latest statistics published on 25 February 2016 confirms in 2015, a total of 1,194 people were resettled the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) including 1,085 who arrived in the last quarter of 2015. Of those resettled under the scheme in 2015, 605 were under 18 years old. Resettlement under the Syrian VPRS by local authorities is voluntary. It is a matter for each local authority to decide whether they want to publish the fact of their participation and the numbers of refugees they take.

Asylum: Afghanistan

Baroness Sheehan: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will take any action to evaluate the claims to asylum of Afghan interpreters formerly employed by the British Army who are currently in the Calais "Jungle" camp, in the light of the Channel 4 news report on 28 February.

Lord Bates: We carefully consider all asylum claims made in the UK, including those made by former interpreters with our armed forces in Afghanistan, but we have no obligation under the Refugee Convention to consider asylum claims outside the UK. Those who need international protection should claim in the first safe country they reach so those currently in Calais should claim in France. Where someone seeking asylum elsewhere in the EU can demonstrate they have close family members legally in the UK, they may be entitled to have their claim processed in the UK under the Dublin Regulation.Separate schemes have existed since 2013 to assist interpreters previously employed by the UK Armed Forces. These apply only to those who have remained in Afghanistan and, in recognition of their unique and exceptional service or the danger interpreters may face because of their work, can lead to relocation to the UK if certain criteria are met.

Visas: India

Lord Dholakia: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultations they have had with the government of India about recommendations of the Migration Advisory Committee regarding Tier 2 visas.

Lord Dholakia: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Migration Advisory Committee's recommendations regarding Tier 2 visas on trade between India and the UK.

Lord Dholakia: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the Migration Advisory Committee's recommendations regarding Tier 2 visas meet the letter and spirit of the Joint Statement on the UK-India Summit of November 2015.

Lord Dholakia: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether (1) an exemption from the Resident Labour Market Test when switching from Tier 4 to a Tier 2 visa, (2) an increase in the minimum salary threshold from £20,000 to £30,000, and (3) the proposed immigration skills charge, would adversely affect medical trainees and doctors coming from India to the UK.

Lord Bates: The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent body and its recommendations are not a statement of Government policy. We thank the MAC for their report and we are currently considering the findings carefully. We will announce our response in due course.Doctors from overseas make a valuable contribution to the running of our NHS and we will consider the potential impacts on them in making our decisions. The Minister for Immigration met the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and the Minister of State for Home Affairs during a visit to India in February and had wide ranging and constructive talks, including discussion of the MAC’s report on Tier 2.The Government fully respects the UK’s international commitments and remains strongly committed to the free trade agenda. The UK immigration system continues to support inward investment and trade.

Money Laundering: Greater London

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are aware of any political parties or foreign nationals using London for money laundering purposes, and if so, what actions they are taking against them.

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the evidence found against MQM regarding allegations of money laundering, and of the comments made by senior members of that organisation in the media about those allegations.

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Governmentwhat assessment they have made of why the Metropolitan Police took over a year to investigate the case against MQM.

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have received any representations from the government of India about not pursuing the money-laundering case against MQM.

Lord Bates: The Government is committed to ensuring that the UK has a robust but proportionate anti-money laundering regime. The UK’s first National Risk Assessment of money laundering was published on 15 October 2015. It identified the threats and vulnerabilities faced in this area, and an Action Plan will be published shortly, clearly setting out the steps that will be taken to address them.The Prime Minister made clear in his Singapore speech on corruption last year that the Government is determined to make sure the UK does not become a safe haven for corrupt money. The Prime Minister's Anti-Corruption Summit in May will also consider what more the UK and our international partners can do to tackle flows of illicit finance at home and abroad.Any investigation is an operational matter for the police and the prosecution authorities. The decision on whether to investigate a case, and then take forward a prosecution, will depend on the evidence available. The Home Office has not received representations from the Government of India in relation to allegations of money laundering offences by the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM).

British Nationals Abroad: Middle East

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure that all those British persons identified as jihadists fighting in Iraq or Syria are dealt with in those countries and are not permitted to return to the UK.

Lord Bates: Everyone who returns from taking part in the conflict in Syria or Iraq should expect to be subject to review by the police to determine if they have committed criminal offences abroad, and to ensure that they do not pose a threat to our national security.British citizens and residents who commit offences abroad can be prosecuted under a wide range of terrorism and other criminal law offences including training for terrorism and murder. Decisions on charging are taken independently on a case-by-case basis by the Crown Prosecution Service.The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 introduced a power under which the Secretary of State may impose a temporary exclusion order (TEO) on a British citizen suspected of involvement in terrorism-related activity outside the UK. The TEO enables the Government temporarily to disrupt and control the individual’s return to the UK.In addition, section 40(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981, empowers the Secretary of State to make an order depriving any person of any form of British citizenship status, if this would not result in the person deprived of citizenship being left stateless. This power can be used in response to activities threatening national security, which includes acts of terrorism. Deprivation of British citizenship results in simultaneous loss of the right of abode in the United Kingdom.

Police: Vehicles

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in considering the amount of police grant to allocate to each police force, what assessment they make of the case for urban forces, or those that do not regularly suffer snow, purchasing large four-wheel drives or SUVs.

Lord Bates: Core central Government funding to police forces in England and Wales is allocated annually on the basis of the Police Allocation Formula. The formula incorporates a number of indicators linked to demand on the police and does not include consideration of police spending. Local spending decisions are for the relevant Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable.

Police: Vehicles

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any national assessment of the power, sizes and trims of vehicles that police forces want to buy in part, or entirely, using police grant.

Lord Bates: Decisions about the number and types of vehicles required by police forces are matters for Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners locally.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Homicide: British Nationals Abroad

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many British nationals (1) were murdered abroad, and (2) died as a result of terrorism abroad, in each year since 2010.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not hold information on the total number of UK nationals who are victims of murder and manslaughter overseas, because we can only capture information about those cases of which we are notified. However, we have provided assistance in the following number of cases, recorded as murder or manslaughter, from 2010 to 2016: 2010 (68), 2011 (78), 2012 (53), 2013 (78), 2014 (84), 2015 (88). The number of British nationals killed as a result of terrorism are not captured separately and are included in the figures above. In January 2015, the FCO established a new dedicated team to lead on murder and manslaughter cases.

Syria: Peace Negotiations

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take, if any, to get the current ceasefires in Syria enlarged to include the whole of south-east Turkey.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: There are no plans to extend the Syrian Cessation of Hostilities to south-east Turkey. Violence by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) must end and we support a return to peace talks between Turkey and the PKK, in the interests of Turkey and the wider region.

EU Immigration

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government why NATO land forces have so far not been used in aid of the civil powers in both Italy and Greece; and whether there are plans to do so.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK and its European partners are trying to find a collective solution for what has been described as 'the worst refugee crisis facing Europe since the Second World War'. To that end the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) has agreed to support international efforts in the Aegean. The Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), announced that the UK has deployed Royal Fleet Auxiliary Mounts Bay to the Aegean. It is right that our immediate priority is to ensure this new NATO activity is up and running effectively. Whilst there are no requests from Italy or Greece for the sort of assistance described, the UK would be open to considering how NATO could make an effective further contribution to this crisis.

Turkey: Press Freedom

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Turkey about its actions against Zaman newspaper, its editor and chief columnist, together with other media; and what response, if any, they have received.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We continue to monitor specific cases and regularly underline the importance of freedom of expression and all fundamental freedoms as part of our broader dialogue with the Turkish government. We welcomed the EU Commission’s Annual Progress Report on Turkey, released on 10 November, which highlighted the need for further reforms from Turkey in these areas. The Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), did so on 7 March when he met Turkey’s Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu, and underlined the importance of protections for a free press and human rights in Turkey. The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), set out the UK’s concerns on freedom of expression when he met his Turkish counterpart on 12 March. The Minister for Europe, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), discussed media freedoms and rule of law issues when he met Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister on 12 March.As a friend and ally, we urge the Turkish government to uphold the right of media to operate without restriction.

Gaza: Visits Abroad

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about allowing visits of parliamentarians to Gaza.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We do not make representations on behalf of British nationals, including parliamentarians, wishing to travel to Gaza. Parliamentarians should be aware that at this time the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to Gaza. Entry and exit from Gaza is difficult and can, at times, be impossible. Entry is through either Israel, with permission from the Israeli authorities, or Egypt, with permission from the Egyptian authorities (although this border has been closed almost entirely since October 2014).

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the continued withholding of the bodies of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces, and whether they have determined why those bodies have been kept for so long.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have raised the withholding of bodies of suspected perpetrators of terrorist attacks on a number of occasions, at senior levels in the Israel National Security Council and with the Israel Defence Forces since the increase in violence in October.We continue to urge both the Israelis and Palestinians to maintain calm and refrain from taking actions which could make peace more difficult to achieve.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning unexploded ordnance left after military training close to Palestinian property.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have not made any representations to the Israeli authorities on this issue.

United Arab Emirates: Political Prisoners

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have raised the treatment of political prisoners with the government of the United Arab Emirates.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Our relationship with the United Arab Emirates allows us to discuss a range of important issues, including human rights. If we have concerns regarding arrests, convictions or sentencing we make these clear to Emirati authorities as part of our broader strategic engagement.

Burma: Ethnic Groups

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Women’s League of Burma’s call for the National League for Democracy to focus on bringing peace to the ethnic states.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The National League for Democracy, which is due to lead the incoming Government in Burma, made the peace process and political dialogue its primary manifesto pledge. The peace process is also a priority for the UK. We are providing £19 million over five years to the Peace Support Fund and, with a £5 million contribution, the UK is also the largest donor and currently chair of the multinational Joint Peace Fund. We stand ready to provide further assistance to the incoming government as requested.

Burma: Ethnic Groups

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the government of Burma plans to (1) protect resources in ethnic areas in Burma, and (2) press for a moratorium on large-scale extraction projects.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government of Burma’s term of office expires on 30 March. It will be for the incoming government, led by the National League for Democracy (NLD), to formally announce its policies when it takes office. Resource issues will be a major issue for any new government. The NLD made a manifesto pledge to distribute the proceeds of resource extraction fairly, to address the issue of environmental degradation associated with this industry and to raise labour safety standards. The UK already supports work on public financial management in Burma. We have also actively supported Burma’s candidacy for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. We stand ready to work with the incoming government on resource issues at its request.

Gibraltar: UK Membership of EU

Lord Luce: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the consequences for Gibraltar of the UK's withdrawal from the EU, and what action they intend to take in relation to Gibraltar in the event of such a withdrawal.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Gibraltar’s economy is strengthened by the UK’s EU membership. As the Chief Minister of Gibraltar has clearly stated, an UK exit from the EU would pose "an existential threat in economic terms" to the territory.The UK will continue to defend and support Gibraltar’s interests, and uphold British sovereignty. The UK will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another State against their wishes. Furthermore, the UK will not enter into any process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content.

Ilois: Resettlement

Lord Luce: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to make a decision on the resettlement and future of the Chagossian people, and whether Parliament will be consulted in advance of that decision.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government is considering all relevant advice and material, including the recent independent feasibility study published in February 2015, and the results of the public consultation, published in January this year. The consultation period has now ended. The Government hopes to make a decision soon.

Cyprus: Politics and Government

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether President Anastasiades’ approach to President el-Sisi on the basis of strategic military co-operation, to President Putin on similar issues, and to Israel on oil exploration, while claiming commitment to bilateral negotiations with Turkish Cypriots are a contravention of that procedure.

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there is any viable evidence that President Anastasiades’ current negotiations with President el-Sisi, with President Putin and with Prime Minister Netanyahu are taking place based on agreement among the current parties participating in the Cyprus peace talks.

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether, in the event of successful Cyprus peace talks, the entire island of Cyprus, including both traditions, would be inextricably tied to outcomes deriving from strategic decisions that may, in the interim, have been agreed exclusively by Greek Cypriot President Anastasiades.

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to revise their position on the Cyprus peace talks in the light of the negotiations by President Anastasiades with President el-Sisi on strategic military co-operation, with President Putin on similar issues, and with Prime Minister Netanyahu on oil exploration.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: It is for the Republic of Cyprus to decide on its external relations. Given the threats facing the Eastern Mediterranean, the need for improved co-operation across the whole region remains crucial. A Cyprus settlement would provide an important boost for regional stability. The UK commends President Anastasides and Mr Akinci for their positive leadership in the Cyprus settlement talks. As the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), made clear during his visits to Cyprus last year, the UK will continue to do whatever we can to support the efforts of both communities, and their leaders, to seize the historic opportunity that exists to reunite Cyprus.

Turkey: Kurds

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 8 February (HL5486), whether they have evidence that the Turkish Air Force has bombed its citizens in the predominantly Kurdish areas of south-east Turkey since the beginning of 2015.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The ongoing violence in the predominantly Kurdish areas of south east Turkey is extremely concerning. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) continues to kill members of the Turkish police service and security forces in violent terrorist attacks. The Turkish government has responded by striking PKK targets in south-east Turkey, including with the use of air power. We believe Turkey has a legitimate right to defend itself against the PKK, whose attacks we condemn as we condemn all terrorism. We continue to monitor the situation closely. The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), and our Ambassador in Ankara have emphasised to the Turkish government the need to respect human rights, avoid civilian casualties and return to the peace process.

Turkey: Press Freedom

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on press freedom of the takeover of the Turkish newspaper Zaman.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We continue to monitor specific cases and regularly underline the importance of freedom of expression and all fundamental freedoms as part of our broader dialogue with the Turkish government. We welcomed the EU Commission’s Annual Progress Report on Turkey, released on 10 November 2015, which highlighted the need for further reforms from Turkey in these areas. These reports reinforce our long-standing concerns about freedom of press in Turkey. Freedom of press and access to a range of views are crucial in a democracy. As a friend and ally, we urge the Turkish government to uphold the right of media to operate without restriction.

Turkey: Press Freedom

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the EU about its public response to the takeover of the Turkish newspaper Zaman.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: EU leaders discussed the issue of press freedom with the Turkish Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu, at the EU-Turkey summit on Monday 7 March. As a friend and ally, we urge the Turkish government to uphold the right of media to operate without restriction. The Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), did so when he met Turkey’s Prime Minister at the summit and underlined the importance of protections for a free press and human rights in Turkey. We welcomed the EU Commission’s Annual Progress Report on Turkey, released on 10 November 2015, which highlighted the need for further reforms from Turkey in these areas.

Eritrea: Children

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the situation of children living in Eritrea, and of the effects of the Danish report on asylum determination, published in 2014, which has been criticised for failing to reflect the balance of views expressed by the UN.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government wants to see better conditions for children in Eritrea. Some of the issues of concern are: a lack of education; limited access to health services; and the prospect of extended National Service. Each of these can act as a driver for migration, pushing minors to undertake dangerous journeys to Europe. Though the Government of Eritrea has made some progress, including improving health services and increasing the net national enrolment in education, more needs to be done. Through the Department for International Development, the UK is supporting UN Children's Emergency Fund programs that help improve the lives of children in Eritrea.The Home Office’s Country Information and Guidance on handling Eritrean asylum and human rights claims is based on an objective assessment of the situation in Eritrea. It uses evidence from a range of sources, including the Danish Immigration Service’s fact finding report of December 2014. The Home Office carefully considered the criticisms of the Danish report when preparing the guidance, as well as other published material. Each asylum case is carefully considered on its individual merits.

Asia Bibi

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case of Asia Bibi, currently sentenced to death in Pakistan for blasphemy.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office remains concerned about the case of Ms Bibi and continues to follow her appeal process closely. The Supreme Court suspended the death sentence to allow for appeal in July 2015, but she does not yet have a hearing date.The Government regularly makes known to the Pakistani government at a senior level our concerns about the misuse of blasphemy laws against both Muslims and religious minorities in Pakistan. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), personally raised the abuse of these laws with the Pakistani High Commissioner to the UK in October 2015. Both the Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), have made clear to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif our concerns about the blasphemy laws.

Yemen: Military Intervention

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make further supplies of British arms and ammunition to Saudi Arabia conditional on the ending of attacks on civilians in Yemen.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government takes its arms export responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of all relevant factors at the time of the application. A licence will not be issued for any country, including Saudi Arabia, if to do so would be inconsistent with any provision of the mandatory Criteria.The conflict in Yemen is being monitored closely, and relevant information gathered from that monitoring is taken into account as part of the careful risk assessment for the licensing of exports to Saudi Arabia. The Government is satisfied that extant licences for Saudi Arabia are compliant with the UK’s export licensing criteria.

Giulio Regeni

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to urge the Egyptian authorities to investigate fully the torture and death of Giulio Regeni in Cairo this year and what assessment they have made of the risks to the safety of British academics and journalists presently in Egypt.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have followed the case of Giulio Regeni closely since he disappeared on 25 January. We are saddened by his tragic death and are very concerned about reports that he was tortured. We pass our condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.We have raised our concerns and the need for a full investigation with the Egyptian authorities both in Cairo and with the Egyptian Ambassador in London. We support the Italian and Egyptian efforts to investigate and have asked the Italians to let us know if there is anything we can do to support.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice provides objective information and advice to help individuals make better-informed decisions about their travel. We review our travel advice for Egypt on a regular basis and make necessary changes after careful analysis. Our only consideration is the safety of British Nationals.

Israel: West Bank

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what response they have made to the plans announced by the government of Israel in January to appropriate further tracts of agricultural land in the West Bank for illegal settlement building.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: While we have not raised this specific issue with the Israeli authorities, the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), issued a press statement on 22 January to express concern at the Government of Israel’s decision to declare 385 acres of land in the West Bank ‘as state land’.The UK’s position on settlements is clear. They are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace and take us further away from a two-state solution. We will continue to raise our objections to settlements with the Israeli government. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), expressed concern in public comments and in the House of Commons at the Government of Israel’s decision of 6 January to approve the extension of the Gush Etzion settlement.

Israel: West Bank

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what response they have made to recent UN figures that, between 1 January and 2 March, Israel has demolished 121 structures in the occupied West Bank funded partly or fully by international donors compared to 108 such demolitions during 2015; and whether they have raised that issue with the government of Israel.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government is extremely concerned by reports that there has been a large increase in demolitions since the start of 2016, compared to the monthly average in 2015. We are also concerned at the increase in the demolition of structures funded partly or fully by international donors. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv has raised our concerns on demolitions with the Israeli authorities.

Turkey: EU Accession

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will hold a referendum in the UK before they agree to the accession of Turkey to the EU.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Decisions on accession to the EU are subject to strict conditionality, and made on a case by case basis. All new accessions are subject to agreement by all 28 Member States at every step of the negotiations. If and when, at the end of successful negotiations, Member States have unanimously agreed to admit a candidate country to membership, the resulting Accession Treaty must be ratified by each Member State in accordance with their own respective national arrangements, and also approved by the European Parliament. In the case of the UK, the EU Act 2011 requires any Accession Treaty to be ratified by Act of Parliament.

UK Membership of EU: Referendums

Lord Wills: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to conduct public awareness-raising activity funded by the taxpayer during the EU referendum period starting on 15 April, and if so, what activities they plan to undertake.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government is clear that this referendum is an important decision for the future of the UK. We are committed to ensuring the public are well informed before making a crucial choice about whether the UK should remain in or leave the EU, within the parameters of section 125 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 covering the 28 days ending with the referendum.The Government believes that the UK is stronger, safer and better off in a reformed EU.

Iran: Israel

Baroness Deech: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Iran following the announcement by the Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon that Iran will pay $7,000 to the families of suicide bombers and other terrorists who die in the process of attacking any Israeli.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We raised the issue of payments to families of suicide bombers with the Iranian government, and are seeking clarification over the reported remarks about providing funds to the families of suicide bombers. We condemn any support for groups which pursue an ideology of violence that directly undermines the prospects for peace in the region.

Salman Rushdie

Baroness Deech: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Iran concerning the announcement by Iranian state media that an additional $600,000 has been added by them to the existing cash reward for killing Salman Rushdie.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have consistently been clear that threats to Mr Rushdie are completely unacceptable. Our Chargé d’Affaires in Tehran raised our strong concerns with the Iranian government on 29 February about these recent developments.

Kenya: Human Rights

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the reported human rights abuses by Kenyan security forces in response to terror attacks in the north-eastern region of Kenya.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We take human rights very seriously and strongly oppose human rights abuses in all circumstances. We continue to believe that a human rights compliant approach is the most effective way to secure long-term peace and stability. Where allegations of abuses have been made, we urge the Kenyan government to fully investigate any credible allegations of non compliance and hold those responsible to account.The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), signed a bilateral Security Compact with the Kenyan government in September 2015 aimed at enhancing our security cooperation. The Compact provides assurances on Kenya’s commitment to adhere to its international human rights obligations. The Conflict, Security and Stability Fund is working to build capacity to ensure security forces in the region are better governed, more accountable and more effective, and to build community resilience to respond to security challenges through work with civil society.

Kenya

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much funding or support they have provided to the Kenya Defence Forces, Kenyan police forces, including the anti-terror police and the National Intelligence Service, and the Kenyan Wildlife Service in each of the last three years.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK and Kenya have a shared interest in tackling terrorist threats, and in line with the UK’s approach to address terrorism overseas we are committed to supporting the Government of Kenya and building capacity to counter this shared threat.The Kenyan Defence Force (KDF) received approximately £640,000 in 2013/14, £870,000 in 2014/15, and £1,110,000 in 2015/16. The bulk of this money over the three years was for pre-deployment training with the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), including human rights training on sexual and gender based violence. In addition, the KDF received £22,000 as part of a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat maintenance package from 2013-15.The Kenyan Police Force (KPF) received approximately £140,000 in 2013/14, £156,000 in 2014/15, and £356,000 in 2015/16. Our 2015-16 programmes support police reform and strengthen the accountability of the Kenyan National Police Service.The Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS) does not receive direct funding from the Government. However, the KWS is a project partner on three projects through the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, managed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The three projects receive around £790,000 over the period 2014-2018. In 2015/16, 6 KWS employees were part of an i2 Notebook and Intelligence Analysis training course. The overall cost was £105,000.

Israel: Palestinians

Lord Turnberg: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the death of an American tourist and the wounding of several citizens by a Palestinian in Tel Aviv on 7 March, whether they will press the leadership of the Palestinian Authority to condemn that, and other similar incidents, and to reduce incitement to violence.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We regularly urge the Palestinian leadership to do more to condemn violence. Most recently our Consul General in Jerusalem had a meeting on 9 March with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Hamdallah where we raised our concerns on incitement.The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), issued a press statement on 9 March following the recent increase in violence, condemning the attacks on civilians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.We regularly raise incitement with the Palestinian Authority, and have urged key figures to encourage calm and condemn violence. We continue to support the reinstatement of the Tripartite Committee on Incitement as the appropriate channel to deal with allegations of incitement from either side.

Bahrain: Nationality

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 23 February (HL6333), whether they have had specific discussions with the government of Bahrain on past and pending deprivations of citizenship, and on potential discrimination against the Shia Scholars Council and the Al Wefaq Party; and if so, with what results.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), discussed human rights and political reform with the Bahraini Ambassador on 8 March. We use the strength of our relationship and engagement to encourage reform. We continue to encourage the Government of Bahrain to meets its human rights obligations and honour all conventions to which it is a party – including on citizenship rights. We also urge all sides to engage in constructive political dialogue.

Bahrain: Human Rights

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of progress in Bahrain towards democracy and respect for human rights following training and guidance from UK personnel for that country's police and security forces.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We believe that UK support to Bahrain’s reform programme is the most constructive way to achieve long-lasting and sustainable reform in Bahrain. While it will take time to see the full results, UK support is having a direct, positive impact on areas of concern. All Foreign and Commonwealth Office programmes and project work is routinely monitored and evaluated to inform and improve future assistance.

Ibrahim Sharif

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Bahrain concerning the imprisonment of Ibrahim Sharif for making speeches about democracy.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have raised Ibrahim Sharif’s case with the Government of Bahrain, including at the highest levels, and we understand that he has the right of appeal. The UK encourages Bahrain to respect the rights of all peaceful opposition figures. We call on the Bahraini government to act proportionately in all such cases to protect the universal rights of freedom of expression and assembly. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), most recently raised human rights with the Bahraini Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa , on 8 March.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Computer Software

Lord Wills: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to implementing the EU Waste Electrical Equipment Directive (2012/19/EU) in relation to computer software.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 08 March 2016.The correct answer should have been:

No consideration has been given as internet search engines are not within the defined scope of the Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Directive. The scope of the WEEE Directive is restricted to equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly or equipment for the generation, transfer and measurement of such currents and fields. No consideration has been given to either computer software or internet search engines because they do not fall within the definition of electrical and electronic equipment specified in the WEEE Directive. Software is normally either downloaded to equipment or purchased on CDs. It is the equipment that is used to run the software that would fall in scope since that equipment is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly. An internet search engine is a service, not a piece of equipment, and so is also outside the scope of the Directive.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: No consideration has been given as internet search engines are not within the defined scope of the Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Directive. The scope of the WEEE Directive is restricted to equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly or equipment for the generation, transfer and measurement of such currents and fields. No consideration has been given to either computer software or internet search engines because they do not fall within the definition of electrical and electronic equipment specified in the WEEE Directive. Software is normally either downloaded to equipment or purchased on CDs. It is the equipment that is used to run the software that would fall in scope since that equipment is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly. An internet search engine is a service, not a piece of equipment, and so is also outside the scope of the Directive.

Internet

Lord Wills: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to implementing the EU Waste Electrical Equipment Directive (2012/19/EU) in relation to internet search engines.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 08 March 2016.The correct answer should have been:

No consideration has been given as internet search engines are not within the defined scope of the Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Directive. The scope of the WEEE Directive is restricted to equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly or equipment for the generation, transfer and measurement of such currents and fields.   No consideration has been given to either computer software or internet search engines because they do not fall within the definition of electrical and electronic equipment specified in the WEEE Directive. Software is normally either downloaded to equipment or purchased on CDs. It is the equipment that is used to run the software that would fall in scope since that equipment is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly. An internet search engine is a service, not a piece of equipment, and so is also outside the scope of the Directive.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: No consideration has been given as internet search engines are not within the defined scope of the Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Directive. The scope of the WEEE Directive is restricted to equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly or equipment for the generation, transfer and measurement of such currents and fields.   No consideration has been given to either computer software or internet search engines because they do not fall within the definition of electrical and electronic equipment specified in the WEEE Directive. Software is normally either downloaded to equipment or purchased on CDs. It is the equipment that is used to run the software that would fall in scope since that equipment is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly. An internet search engine is a service, not a piece of equipment, and so is also outside the scope of the Directive.

Universities: Admissions

Lord Livermore: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of applications to Russell Group universities in each year for the past 10 years came from pupils in each socio-economic group.

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: The information requested on applications to Russell Group Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by socio-economic group is not held by government. The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes information on students entering and qualifying from UK HEIs. A breakdown of this information for each National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC) grouping is not published and could only be provided at a disproportionate cost. Provider-level statistics on the share of students from disadvantaged backgrounds are published as part of HESA’s UK Performance Indicators, and these include data on the proportion of young full-time first degree entrants who fall under NS-SEC categories 4 to 7. The data is provided in the table: Percentage of UK-domiciled young full-time first degree entrants from NS-SEC categories 4 to 7 (1)English Higher Education InstitutionsAcademic Years 2005/06 to 2014/15  Academic Year2005/06 (2)2006/072007/082008/09 (3)2009/10All Russell Group HEIs in England (2)19.3%19.0%19.1%N/A18.5%All English HEIs29.1%29.8%29.4%N/A30.1%  Academic Year2010/112011/122012/132013/142014/15All Russell Group HEIs in England (2)18.8%18.3%19.7%20.0%20.2%All English HEIs30.7%30.9%32.8%33.1%33.1%  Source: HESA Performance Indicators Notes: (1) Groups 4 to 7 of the NS-SEC include small employers, own account workers, and lower supervisory, technical , semi-routine and routine occupations(2) The Russell Group HEIs included are all those that were part of the Russell Group on March 8th 2016(3) Data for 2005/06 excludes the University of Cambridge due to a change in its data recording for that academic year(4) The change in UCAS question for 2008/09 applicants had an impact on the NS-SEC indicators, making them incomparable with data published prior to and post 2008/09  The Prime Minister announced in January 2016 that the Government intends to legislate to require individual universities to publish statistical information on admissions by gender, class and ethnic background in order to make each institution’s record on admissions more transparent.

Universities: Admissions

Lord Livermore: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of admissions to Russell Group universities in each year for the past 10 years came from pupils in each socio-economic group.

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: The information requested on applications to Russell Group Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by socio-economic group is not held by government. The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes information on students entering and qualifying from UK HEIs. A breakdown of this information for each National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC) grouping is not published and could only be provided at a disproportionate cost. Provider-level statistics on the share of students from disadvantaged backgrounds are published as part of HESA’s UK Performance Indicators, and these include data on the proportion of young full-time first degree entrants who fall under NS-SEC categories 4 to 7. The data is provided in the table: Percentage of UK-domiciled young full-time first degree entrants from NS-SEC categories 4 to 7 (1)English Higher Education InstitutionsAcademic Years 2005/06 to 2014/15  Academic Year2005/06 (2)2006/072007/082008/09 (3)2009/10All Russell Group HEIs in England (2)19.3%19.0%19.1%N/A18.5%All English HEIs29.1%29.8%29.4%N/A30.1%  Academic Year2010/112011/122012/132013/142014/15All Russell Group HEIs in England (2)18.8%18.3%19.7%20.0%20.2%All English HEIs30.7%30.9%32.8%33.1%33.1%  Source: HESA Performance Indicators Notes: (1) Groups 4 to 7 of the NS-SEC include small employers, own account workers, and lower supervisory, technical , semi-routine and routine occupations(2) The Russell Group HEIs included are all those that were part of the Russell Group on March 8th 2016(3) Data for 2005/06 excludes the University of Cambridge due to a change in its data recording for that academic year(4) The change in UCAS question for 2008/09 applicants had an impact on the NS-SEC indicators, making them incomparable with data published prior to and post 2008/09  The Prime Minister announced in January 2016 that the Government intends to legislate to require individual universities to publish statistical information on admissions by gender, class and ethnic background in order to make each institution’s record on admissions more transparent.

Graduates

Lord Livermore: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of graduates from Russell Group universities in each year for the past 10 years came from each socio-economic group.

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: The information requested on applications to Russell Group Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by socio-economic group is not held by government. The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes information on students entering and qualifying from UK HEIs. A breakdown of this information for each National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC) grouping is not published and could only be provided at a disproportionate cost. Provider-level statistics on the share of students from disadvantaged backgrounds are published as part of HESA’s UK Performance Indicators, and these include data on the proportion of young full-time first degree entrants who fall under NS-SEC categories 4 to 7. The data is provided in the table: Percentage of UK-domiciled young full-time first degree entrants from NS-SEC categories 4 to 7 (1)English Higher Education InstitutionsAcademic Years 2005/06 to 2014/15  Academic Year2005/06 (2)2006/072007/082008/09 (3)2009/10All Russell Group HEIs in England (2)19.3%19.0%19.1%N/A18.5%All English HEIs29.1%29.8%29.4%N/A30.1%  Academic Year2010/112011/122012/132013/142014/15All Russell Group HEIs in England (2)18.8%18.3%19.7%20.0%20.2%All English HEIs30.7%30.9%32.8%33.1%33.1%  Source: HESA Performance Indicators Notes: (1) Groups 4 to 7 of the NS-SEC include small employers, own account workers, and lower supervisory, technical , semi-routine and routine occupations(2) The Russell Group HEIs included are all those that were part of the Russell Group on March 8th 2016(3) Data for 2005/06 excludes the University of Cambridge due to a change in its data recording for that academic year(4) The change in UCAS question for 2008/09 applicants had an impact on the NS-SEC indicators, making them incomparable with data published prior to and post 2008/09  The Prime Minister announced in January 2016 that the Government intends to legislate to require individual universities to publish statistical information on admissions by gender, class and ethnic background in order to make each institution’s record on admissions more transparent.

Refugees: Calais

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much compensation has been paid or committed to any company involved in cross-channel traffic because of losses or additional costs due to the number of migrants in the Calais area.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The department has not paid or committed to pay compensation to any company involved in cross-channel traffic because of losses or additional costs due to the number of migrants in the Calais area.The Business Support Helpline is available to businesses seeking advice on managing disruption.In the 2015 Autumn Statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer committed £250 million to finding a long term solution to Operation Stack.

Students: Finance

Baroness Burt of Solihull: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish a full list of the subjects for which the equivalent or lower qualifications rule will be relaxed, as announced in the 2015 Spending Review and Autumn Statement.

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: Part time students studying for a second degree in subjects allied to medicine; biological sciences; veterinary sciences, agriculture and related subjects; physical sciences; and mathematical sciences will be eligible for a tuition fee loan from the 2017/18 academic year. These are in addition to the exemption for part time technology, computer science and engineering degrees introduced in 2015/16. Subject lists below these broad headings are published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency at https://www.hesa.ac.uk/component/content/article?id=1787  



HESA Statistics
(PDF Document, 1.18 MB)

Students: Loans

Baroness Burt of Solihull: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will consult on maintenance loans for part-time undergraduate students.

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: The Government announced in the Spending Review that, for the first time, student finance would be available to part-time students to help meet both tuition and living costs. Discussions are ongoing with stakeholders regarding the new maintenance loan product for part-time higher education students and our current plan is to consult later in the year.

Apprentices: Taxation

Lord Aberdare: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what arrangements they plan to make to enable firms that pay the Apprenticeship Levy on the basis of their UK-wide pay bill to claim funding from the Apprenticeship Levy fund to support apprenticeships in the devolved nations.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The levy will apply to employers across the UK. As skills policy is a devolved area the Devolved Administrations will continue to have complete flexibility over how to support businesses in their Territories through training and apprenticeships. We are committed to doing all we can to make the system work for employers wherever they are in the UK and we are working closely with the Devolved Administrations to achieve that. The levy will apply to employers across the UK. As skills policy is a devolved area the Devolved Administrations will receive their fair share of the income from the levy, and have flexibility over how to use it to support businesses in their territories. We are committed to doing all we can to make the system work for employers wherever they are in the UK and we are working closely with the Devolved Administrations to achieve that

Department for International Development

Nepal: International Assistance

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the level of engagement by the Disasters Emergency Committee, and other international donors, with representatives of Nepal’s civil society and charities such as Childreach Nepal.

Baroness Verma: The role of national Nepali civil society after the earthquake has been key to the emergency response, and will be important into the recovery and reconstruction phases. International humanitarian organisations who acted as part of the earthquake response, such as the UK Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) members, have partnered with Nepal civil society organisations to deliver assistance to those most in need. These partnerships have combined international funding flows with local knowledge and expertise.Over the course of the humanitarian response UK government representatives in Nepal have met regularly with DEC members and other international donors in order to share situation analysis and learning, as well as jointly advocate on collective issues. The UK has supported over 20 trusted partners as part of its own Nepal earthquake response, including the UN, INGOs and the Red Cross. All have worked in partnership with Nepali civil society organisations on the ground. We have conducted three rounds of field-based monitoring, meet regularly with our partners, and receive frequent reporting, which has enabled us to assess with confidence the effectiveness of our direct partners and their Nepali civil society partners.

Disasters Emergency Committee

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Disasters Emergency Committee regarding openness and transparency in using public donations, in the light of the earthquakes in Nepal in 2015 and previous disasters.

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Disasters Emergency Committee about when it will publish its summary of how money donated by the public to the recovery and rebuilding efforts in Nepal after the 2015 earthquake was spent.

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of their recommendation that members of the public donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal for Nepal following the earthquakes in 2015, what assessment they have made of (1) how much money was donated to that appeal, (2) how soon after the emergency those funds were spent, (3) individual donors’ levels of satisfaction with how their donations were spent, (4) how that money was shared between NGOs that are members of the DEC and Nepalese NGOs, and (5) what effect that spending had.

Baroness Verma: Funds raised by the British public for the DEC appeal have already reached over £85 million, which includes £5 million in matched funding provided by DFID. UK Government representatives in Nepal’s meet regularly with Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) members to discuss the ongoing earthquake response, recovery and reconstruction efforts.The DEC publishes regular updates on the Nepal response on their website and through social media. Information on how funds are being used is also shared directly to donors via email and post. The DEC has also commissioned and published an independent evaluation of the work, which I have attached for ease, of members in Nepal which particularly focuses on the emergency response phase.The DEC is planning on producing a ‘one year on’ report which will be published on the anniversary of the earthquake. This will give details of how funds were raised, how they were disbursed to member agencies, how they have been spent and what has been achieved. 



DEC HC Nepal response review 
(PDF Document, 3.39 MB)

Nepal: Earthquakes

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the humanitarian and emergency response to the earthquakes in Nepal in 2015, and of which organisations were best placed to deliver a quick response to affected areas and to deliver lasting change.

Baroness Verma: The Government’s response to the recent devastating earthquakes now stands at £70 million. Funds raised by the British public for the DEC appeal have already reached over £85 million, which includes £5 million in matched funding provided by DFID. UK support has provided: over 230,000 people with emergency shelter; over 200,000 people with winter support such as clothes, blankets and mattresses; and over 2,000 hours of helicopter flights to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance to communities in areas inaccessible by road.In the first few weeks after the earthquake, DFID and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office established a project to collect beneficiary feedback. Short, monthly perception surveys on the coverage, quality and fairness of the humanitarian response are produced by this project. This information has informed the DFID response, as well as shaped wider humanitarian efforts in Nepal.DFID is also funding a number of ongoing surveys to understand the issues and challenges on the ground, including community recovery from the earthquake (with the Asia Foundation) and also levels of food security in the affected areas (with the World Food Programme). In a complex context, this has helped us understand the needs and challenges that are driving costs and delivery timelines.DFID delivered much of its humanitarian support through International Non-Governmental Organisations, who had the capacity and presence on the ground to respond. We have undertaken regular monitoring of partner performance through field trips, meetings with partners, and routine narrative reporting. We have undertaken three rounds of monitoring to track partner performance, unit costs, timeliness and quality. All partner organisations have delivered to expectations.

Gaza: Overseas Aid

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the total financial commitment by the UK to Gaza since fighting ceased in 2014.

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of the UK financial commitment to Gaza since fighting ceased in 2014 has been spent, and on what.

Baroness Verma: The UK provided more than £17 million in immediate humanitarian assistance for those affected by the Gaza conflict in the summer of 2014. In October 2014, the UK pledged a further £20 million in early recovery assistance at the Gaza Reconstruction Conference in Cairo. The UK has disbursed this pledge in its entirety. Since then the UK has provided more than £25 million of additional support to Gaza for a range of activities, including basic service delivery and support to the private sector.

Gaza: Overseas Aid

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what further plans they have to assist reconstruction in Gaza, and what is the timescale and financial commitment for that further assistance, if any.

Baroness Verma: As part of its Bilateral Aid Review, DFID is in the process of agreeing future multi-year support for Palestinian development, which will include support for Gaza. This will include access for reconstruction materials, basic service delivery, support to the private sector and assistance for the most vulnerable.

Armed Conflict: Rape

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress is being made in providing safe abortion for women who are raped in conflict situations.

Baroness Verma: Women and girls raped in conflict situations need access to a comprehensive range of sexual and reproductive health services. The UK funds partners to deliver such services. For example, we are working with agencies such as UNFPA to provide essential sexual and reproductive health care within our humanitarian responses, including in Ukraine and Syria. We encourage other donors and partner agencies to increase provision of sexual and reproductive health services including full implementation of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP). These may include access to safe abortion services as set out in our policy paper on safe and unsafe abortion.The Secretary of State made a commitment at the UN General Assembly in 2015 that in humanitarian crises, DFID calls for proposals will require the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls to be considered. We are working with our partners to operationalise this commitment.

Developing Countries: Disability

Baroness Northover: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the change in reporting on the Department for International Development’s Disability Framework from an annual review to twice every five years, how they intend to maintain momentum around achieving their overall vision of a world where no one is left behind.

Baroness Verma: The UK Aid Strategy sets out the UK Government’s ambition to be a world leader in implementing the Promise on Leave No One Behind. The promise was launched by the Prime Minister and agreed by other world leaders at the UN General Assembly in September 2015. To deliver our strategy, we will prioritise work that targets the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, the most excluded, those caught in crises, and those most at risk of violence and discrimination. We recognise that achieving our overall goal of leaving no one behind will take time, and require concerted and sustained effort across governments, citizens, civil society and businesses. The UK will work in partnership with others to build and sustain momentum on Leave No One Behind at the High Level Political Forum in July 2016 as well as deliver a global moment each year to review progress and give people that are being left behind, including people with disabilities, a regular chance to have their voices heard.

Developing Countries: Disability

Baroness Northover: To ask Her Majesty’s Government why there is no mention of disability in the Department for International Development’s single departmental plan; and how that Department intends to ensure disability is prioritised across the Department in the light of that omission.

Baroness Verma: DFID’s Single Departmental Plan reaffirms our commitment to eliminate extreme poverty and to lead the world in implementing the Leave No One Behind Promise agreed by the Prime Minister and other world leaders in September 2015. The inclusion of people with disabilities is central to the delivery of this promise. This is why I launched our revised Disability Framework in December 2015, setting out a comprehensive and strengthened commitment to include people with disabilities in all of our work.

Developing Countries: Discrimination

Baroness Northover: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what work the Department for International Development will carry out to improve its understanding of double or multiple discrimination and exclusion, such as potential extra disadvantages that girls with disabilities may face in comparison to boys who do not have disabilities.

Baroness Verma: DFID prioritises work that targets the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, the most excluded, those caught in a crisis, and those most at risk of violence and discrimination, including woman and girls with disabilities. DFID’s approach to Leave No one Behind includes a particular focus on working with partners to strengthen data, analysis and evidence to ensure a deeper understanding of who is left behind, where they are and the reason for exclusion.In order to improve our understanding of double or multipole discrimination and exclusion, we will continue to strengthen the capacity of national governments, private sector and civil society to generate, analyse and use disaggregated data. DFID will work with the United Nations, to develop and share methodologies, standards and norms for improved data disaggregation at a global level and ask our partners to collect, use and report disagreed quantitative and qualitative data by age, disability, sex, location and other characteristics.

Department for Education

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

Lord Northbourne: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to build self-confidence in children and young people in secondary schools, especially those who do not perform highly in academic subjects; and what assessment they have made of the impact of extra-curricular activities in building self-confidence and interpersonal skills.

Lord Nash: All schools should equip young people with the necessary knowledge and skills to leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. We are working to support schools to develop character traits like self-confidence, motivation and resilience in their students. These traits that can be developed in pupils of any age and in every school through the development of a positive culture and ethos, and supported by a rich provision of classroom and extra-curricular activities.We have invested £5 million in character education, including £3.5 million of grants for 14 projects and £1 million to the Education Endowment Foundation to build evidence and expand research into the most effective character education. We will continue to support schools in developing the character of their pupils without prescribing compulsory measures. In order to do this, we will develop an online digital platform which will share evidence, innovation, and examples of best practice in character education. We will also promote character education to schools and organisations through a new round of character awards.Of course, many schools and organisations are already supporting children to develop their character in and outside the classroom and through programmes such as the National Citizen Service (NCS). We will be investing over a billion pounds over the next four years to make NCS a rite of passage and to guarantee every child a place on NCS.

Academies

Lord Smith of Leigh: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when all schools become academies, how they will ensure that the Department for Education has the capacity to respond quickly and positively to catastrophic events, such as the recent floods in Cumbria.

Lord Nash: We expect all schools, including academies, to have emergency management plans in place, drawn up in conjunction with their local authority, to deal with crises such as the recent floods. This is reinforced by the Department’s White Paper ‘Educational Excellence Everywhere’, published by the Secretary of State on 17 March 2016 that states that local authorities will continue to take a lead in crisis management and emergency planning for all schools in their area. Further details of the future role of local authorities will be announced in due course.

Ministry of Defence

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Lord Moonie: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the radar control for the UK’s F-35 Lightning II fighters operate using software version block 4, and whether it will be available in time for initial operating capability.

Earl Howe: The radar control for F-35B Lightning II aircraft operates with all software versions, which continue to be developed. We remain on track to deliver our initial operating capability from land in 2018 and from our aircraft carriers in 2020.

Nuclear Weapons

Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether an experienced commercial specialist has been appointed to act as the single sponsor for all aspects of the defence nuclear enterprise, as highlighted in Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015.

Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the new body to deliver procurement of the successor submarines will be stood up; whether it has been decided what form the new delivery body will take, and whether the government of the US has been consulted; and whether they will establish that body via primary legislation.

Earl Howe: Options for the new organisations continue to be developed and assessed. We expect to announce further details later this year, once the relevant decisions have been made.

Aircraft Carriers: Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Prime Minister has been involved in discussions about how many F35B aircraft should routinely deploy on HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

Earl Howe: The Prime Minister is briefed regularly on the development of our carrier strike capability. The composition and size of the embarked air group will be tailored to meet the required task, as directed by the Strategic Headquarters in the Ministry of Defence and reflecting national priorities set by the Government.

Destroyers

Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when repairs to the main generating capability of the six Daring Class destroyers will be completed.

Earl Howe: I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave on 8 February 2016 to Question number HL5630 to Lord Campbell of Pittenweem.



Type 45 Destroyers
(Word Document, 22.19 KB)

Department for Work and Pensions

State Retirement Pensions: British Nationals Abroad

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Altmann on 2 March (HL6343), why there is a difference within the Overseas Territories resulting in some people receiving uprating of their pensions while the pensions of others are frozen, and what would be the annual cost of unfreezing pensions for all those living in the Overseas Territories.

Baroness Altmann: The government has a clear position, which has remained constant for around 70 years: the UK State Pension is payable worldwide and is uprated abroad where we have a legal requirement to do so for example in the European Economic Area or in countries where there is a reciprocal agreement in place that allows for uprating. There are no plans to change this. The annual additional cost of up-rating the state pensions of those recipients who are resident in the British Overseas Territories is estimated at approximately £1million in 2015/16. Were this to occur, liabilities for pensioners who live in other countries and territories would also have to be met. The estimated cost of increasing pensions in those countries where they are not currently uprated would be over £0.5 billion a year. This would be financially unaffordable.

Health Services: Industrial Health and Safety

Lord MacKenzie of Culkein: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many improvement notices have been served by the Health and Safety Executive in relation to the failure of healthcare institutions and authorities to ensure that safer sharps are used so far as is reasonably practicable.

Baroness Altmann: There have been thirty-two improvement notices served ( up to December 2015) to healthcare institutions in England, Scotland and Wales since the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 came into effect in May 2013. Of these, twenty-six were specifically for the failure to use or provide safer medical sharps where reasonably practicable, three were for failure to provide appropriate training, two were for failure to take specific actions in the event of a sharps injury and one addressed all of these failings. Before an improvement notice is served the inspector will discuss the breaches of law with the duty holder and explain why a notice is being served. The inspector will also ensure that the duty holder understands what they need to do to comply, and has the opportunity to explore alternative approaches. A timescale for compliance will also be agreed.

Health Services: Industrial Health and Safety

Lord MacKenzie of Culkein: To ask Her Majesty’s Government which institutions and authorities have been served with improvement notices since the introduction of the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.

Baroness Altmann: Since the introduction of the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013, twenty-six institutions across England, Scotland and Wales have received improvement notices up to December 2015. Before an improvement notice is served the inspector will discuss the breaches of law with the duty holder and explain why a notice is being served. The inspector will also ensure that the duty holder understands what they need to do to comply, and has the opportunity to explore alternatives. A timescale for compliance will also be agreed. The institutions are: 1Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board   2Akari Care Limited   3Birmingham Women's NHS Foundation Trust   4BUPA Care Homes (CFG) PLC   5Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust   6Cardiff and Vale University Health Board   7Cwm Taf Health Board (2 notices served)   8HC-One Limited (2 notices served)   9Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust   10Luton & Dunstable University Hospital   11Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust   12Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust   13North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust   14North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust   15North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust   16Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust   17Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust   18Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust   19Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust   20South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust   21Tayside Health Board (3 notices served)   22The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust   23University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust   24University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust   25University Hospitals Of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust ( 2 notices served)   26Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2 notices served)

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Tunnels: Excavation

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the spoil from Crossrail tunnelling deposited at Wallasea Island was authorised under a landfill or recovery permit or licence and whether the same designation will apply to spoil deposited from the Thames Tideway Tunnel excavations.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The site at Wallasea Island received the Crossrail tunnel excavated material under a deposit for recovery permit. Tideway, the Infrastructure Provider set up to finance, build, maintain and operate the Thames Tideway Tunnel, is assessing several sites that were identified as part of the information submitted for the Development Consent Order consent to receive the tunnel excavated material. In order to meet its commitment to transport by river Tideway is focussing on sites in the Thames Estuary. The type of permit these sites require is being assessed in line with current statutory guidance. A number of applications have been made and are being determined by the Environment Agency.

Thames Tideway Tunnel

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 3 March (HL6235), what destinations are currently licensed to accept spoil from the Thames Tideway Tunnel, and what commitments have been given about whether such spoil may be sent to landfill permit sites.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: There are many sites across the country licensed to accept the type of excavated material and waste from the Thames Tideway Tunnel (TTT). Tideway, the Infrastructure Provider set up to finance, build, maintain and operate the TTT, is assessing several sites that were identified as part of the information submitted for the Development Consent Order consent to receive the TTT excavated material. In order to meet Tideway's commitment to transport by river, it is focussing on sites in the Thames Estuary. The type of permit these sites require is being assessed in line with current statutory guidance. A number of applications have been made and are being determined by the Environment Agency.

Electricity Generation

Lord Teverson: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to review Best Available Techniques permissible with respect to environmental permits for back-up electricity generating plant.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Back-up electricity generating plants with a rated thermal input of 20MW or more are currently regulated under the Environmental Permitting Regulations. Guidance on Best Available Techniques that plants should use is periodically reviewed. The Best Available Techniques for plants with a rated thermal input above 50MW are currently being reviewed. Research is also being undertaken to assess Best Available Technique for combustion plants operating in the capacity market. Defra is reviewing environmental legislation for back-up generators and will consult on options to set emissions for relevant air pollutants for some plants such as diesel engines. We will consider the coherence of existing legislation with measures we will be introducing as a result of the review and the Medium Combustion Plant Directive.

Water Charges

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of bad debt on (1) household, and (2) non-household, water bills in each of the last three years.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: In December 2015, Ofwat, the independent economic regulator of the water sector in England and Wales, published its most recent assessment of affordability and debt in the water industry (Affordability and debt 2014-15). Ofwat’s report assessed the level of debt within the industry, the costs associated with recovering and writing debt off, debt recovery practice and the support available for customers. The report identified that the costs associated with recovering and writing off water debts are the equivalent of £21 per year to every household customer in England and Wales. This is an increase from 2009-10, when the amount was £15 (£17 in 2014-15 prices) per year. Ofwat has not assessed the cost for non-household customers.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Community Engagement Forum

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government on which dates the Community Engagement Forum met following the first meeting in October 2015; what were the main topics discussed at each meeting; and who attended each meeting.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Community Engagement Forum met on 19 November 2015 and focused on education and the role it can play in promoting integration. The following individuals attended:Rt. Hon. Nicky Morgan MP, Education Secretary and Minister for Women and EqualitiesLord Ahmad, Minister for Countering ExtremismLouise Casey, Independent review on isolated communitiesAlun Francis, Principal and Chief Executive of Oldham CollegeAina Khan, Head of Islamic Department, Duncan Lewis SolicitorsSajda Mughal OBE, Managing Director at Jan TrustMary Ney, Supporting Commissioner, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough CouncilSyima Aslam, Organiser of Bradford Literary FestivalFarook Yunus, Leader of Kumon Y’allSara Khan, Director and Co-founder of InspireShaukat Warraich, Chief Executive, Faith AssociatesAnil Bhanot OBE, Managing Trustee and Director of Hindu Council UKGillian Merron, Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies of British JewsWilliam Nye, Secretary General of the General Synod of the Church of EnglandLord Singh of Wimbledon CBE, Director of the Network of Sikh OrganisationsChristine Fischer, Catholic Education ServicePascale Vassie, Executive Director, National Resource Centre for Supplementary EducationMartin Pratt, Director of Children, Schools and Families, Camden CouncilMatthew Coffey, Chief Operating Officer, OfstedPhil Champain, Director 3 Faiths ForumHer Honour Judge Khatun Sapnara, Circuit Judge East London Family Court and Kingston Crown CourtSue Robb, Head of Early Years, 4Children The Community Engagement Forum also met on 14 January 2016 and focussed on the contribution of Muslim women in Britain. The following individuals attended:Rt. Hon. David Cameron, Prime MinisterRt. Hon. Nicky Morgan MP, Education Secretary and Minister for Women and EqualitiesLord Ahmad, Minister for Countering ExtremismBaroness Williams, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local GovernmentLouise Casey, Independent review on isolated communitiesCamilla Cavendish, Head of the No. 10 Policy UnitMax Chambers, Special Adviser, Home Affairs and Justice, No.10Sajda Mughal OBE, Managing Director at JAN TrustSyima Aslam, Organiser of Bradford Literary FestivalSara Khan, Director and co-founder of InspireDiana Nammi, Executive Director of Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights OrganisationAysha and Kiran Iqbal Patel, Directors of OdaraFahma Mohamed, FGM activist and Trustee of Integrate BristolFaeeza Vaid, Chair of ‘Sister 2 Sister’ in Birmingham and Executive Director of the Muslim Women’s NetworkHenna Rai, Director for the Association of British MuslimsYasmin Khan, Director of Staying Put and Aspire-IHasina Khan, Chair and founder of Saheliyaan Asian Women’s Forum and Councillor on Chorley CouncilNahid Rasool, Director of Shantona Women’s CentreFarmida Bi, Head of Islamic Finance and a partner at Norton Rose.Zahra Al-Alawi, Presenter of Woman’s View on Ahlulbayt TVFarah Mirza, TV Presenter and previous UN representative for Islamic Human Rights CommissionSarah Joseph OBE, Chief Executive and Editor of emel magazine

Local Government Finance

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 7 March (HL6264), whether they will specify timelines for reviewing the formula that assesses a local authority’s needs against the costs that it incurs in addressing those needs, including when that review will start, when that consultation will be announced, how long the consultation period will be, when they expect that review to conclude, and when the outcomes of that review will be announced.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: In October 2015 the Government announced that, by the end of this Parliament, local authorities will be able to keep 100 per cent of the business rates they raise locally. The Department for Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Association will work with local authorities, businesses and other interested parties in the intervening period to develop proposals. There will be continued opportunity for the sector and the public to engage with the reforms.

HM Treasury

Corporation Tax

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the impact on UK tax receipts of the corporate tax regimes in Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many cases of (1) corporate, and (2) individual, tax evasion in each of the last five years have involved a British Overseas Territory or a Crown Dependency.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the impact of tax regimes in each Crown Dependency and British Overseas Territory on tax receipts from individuals.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The information requested is not available in this format. HM Revenue and Customs publishes estimates of the tax gap each year. The latest edition was published on 22 October 2015 and is available on the gov.uk website. Estimates are made for all major taxes, including corporation tax and income tax. However, this information is not broken down in such a way that can be used to identify the loss of tax receipts due to the tax regimes requested.

Cabinet Office

Charities: Lobbying

Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will require charities to take to establish that no part of their funding of lobbying activity is derived from Government grants.

Lord Bridges of Headley: Recipients of public money through grants should maintain records of how that money is spent, as required by the grant agreement.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Sports: Drugs

Lord Pendry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the announcement that Maria Sharapova has failed a drug test for a substance introduced to the banned substance list this year, whether they will take steps to ensure that the World Anti-Doping Agency guarantees that all of its athletes, including those representing the UK, are fully aware of the drugs that are added to that list each year.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: Both the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) take the matter of athlete communication and education very seriously. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of athletes and their support personnel to be aware of the annual changes to WADA’s Prohibited List.

Sports: Drugs

Lord Pendry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the process by which the World Anti-Doping Agency informs athletes of the drugs added each year to the list of banned substances.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: WADA issues communications to a range of stakeholders to ensure that everyone knows the timeframes by which the Prohibited List is published and when it takes effect. This information is freely available on WADA's website. In the UK, Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel receive information about changes to the Prohibited List through communications from UK Anti-Doping. This is done via the respective National Governing Bodies of sport in advance of the changes coming into place, as well as through information given on the UK Anti-Doping website, social media channels and the Clean Sport App. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of athletes and their support personnel to be aware of the annual changes to the Prohibited List.

Department of Health

Obesity

Baroness Hollins: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what preparations have been made to achieve the safe and effective transfer of responsibility for Tier 4 obesity services from NHS England to Clinical Commissioning Groups.

Baroness Hollins: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what safeguards are in place to ensure that the transfer of commissioning responsibility for Tier 4 obesity services from NHS England to Clinical Commissioning Groups does not have a negative impact on patient services or clinical standards, and how they will ensure that patients receive high quality, safe and effective care should that transfer proceed in April 2016.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Specialised commissioning teams at NHS England are in contact with clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and a formal process has been agreed to transfer the technical and service aspects of the commissioning responsibility. This process includes NHS England leading on the contract negotiation for 2016/17 on behalf of CCGs based on the current service provision. Although the transfer is effective from April 2016 in terms of the contract values, the timing of the handover will be agreed between local specialised commissioning teams and CCGs, in line with their preparedness. NHS England will continue to work with CCGs to provide support as appropriate. NHS England does not expect the services patients receive to be affected following the transfer of obesity surgery commissioning responsibilities to CCGs from April 2016, as the change is primarily to commissioning responsibilities. No service changes are included as part of the transfer process. The transfer process will include providing information to CCGs on pathways, provider performance and any quality issues relating to this service. The transfer should support better integration between Tier 3 and Tier 4 services (which include obesity services) which in turn should improve access for eligible patient and streamline pathways. Clinical teams remain responsible for the quality of their services. NHS England through its clinical reference group has finalised clinical guidance to support commissioners and clinical teams. We would also look to leadership from royal colleges and professional groups to promote best practice in this area. CCGs already have mechanisms in place to monitor provider performance and quality through the existing quality assurance processes.

Prescriptions: Students

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussion they have had with universities in order to encourage them to raise awareness of the NHS Low Income Scheme.

Lord Prior of Brampton: There have been no discussions with universities or student representative bodies to encourage them to raise awareness of the NHS Low Income Scheme. However, information is made available to the public, including students, about the Help with Health Costs arrangements, which includes the NHS Low Income Scheme. This information is provided in various ways, including through the NHS Choices website and long-standing arrangements to make leaflets available to all the NHS service access points, for example general practitioner surgeries and NHS dental practices. The NHS Business Services Authority, which manages the Help with Health Costs system, also uses social media to raise awareness of the Help with Health Costs arrangements, such as through the Student Bursaries Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimates they have made of the likely benefits of providing the quadrivalent HPV vaccine to all adolescents in the UK on a gender-neutral basis.

Lord Prior of Brampton: In 2008 when forming its recommendation for vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in the United Kingdom, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) did not recommend vaccination of boys because the evidence indicated vaccinating boys was unlikely to be cost-effective. The JCVI keeps the eligibility criteria of all vaccination programmes under review. In October 2013 the JCVI recommended a HPV sub-committee be formed to consider a number of issues including the potential extension of the programme to include adolescent boys, because of new and emerging evidence on the association of HPV vaccine types with non-cervical cancers. The JCVI subsequently requested that modelling be undertaken by Public Health England (PHE) to re-examine the impact and cost-effectiveness of extending the HPV vaccination programme to adolescent boys. It is anticipated that PHE will submit this work to the JCVI by early 2017 which will include an assessment of the likely benefits of providing the quadrivalent HPV vaccine to all adolescents.

Hepatitis

Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Prior of Brampton on 11 February (HL5795), when NHS England's plan for future hepatitis C funding will be finalised, how many patients will be able to access hepatitis C treatment via NHS England's plan for future hepatitis C funding, and whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of NHS England's plan once it is finalised.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Based on the modelling produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, NHS England has set out the NHS planning assumptions for hepatitis C in March 2016 for the financial year 2016/17. We understand that this has been shared with Members of Parliament and noble Lords, operational delivery networks, pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders.An expected 6,500 patients will have been treated for the 12 months ending March 2016. NHS England and providers are planning for 10,000 patients to be treated in the 12 months from April 2016 to March 2017.

Hepatitis

Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Prior of Brampton on 11 February (HL5795), what aspects of treatment provided by drugs and alcohol services are not funded by the NHS.

Lord Prior of Brampton: All public funding for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is provided by the National Health Service. Depending on local arrangements, drug and alcohol services commissioned by local authorities in England and funded from the Public Health Grant, may provide service users with aspects of HCV treatment. These would usually include initial testing and counselling, referring and supporting patients who test positive to engage with and complete HCV treatment provided by the NHS. They might also cover providing premises for NHS diagnosis and treatment to take place in the community.

Contraceptives

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what data will be included in the local authority contraception tool being developed by Public Health England; when and how that tool will be used; how often the results will be published; and which organisations Public Health England has met with to discuss that tool.

Lord Prior of Brampton: In spring 2016 Public Health England (PHE) will be adding 10 new indicators to its sexual health and reproductive health profiles relating to long acting reversible contraception and abortion. It is anticipated that these additional indicators will be used by commissioners and providers of reproductive health services to understand and inform local action for reproductive health. The new indicators will be updated annually, in line with the update calendar. The PHE data and intelligence subgroup for Sexual Health, Reproductive Health and Human Immunodeficiency Virus constantly reviews the use of the profiles and works closely with centre teams to ensure the data published meets the needs of local authorities.

Genito-urinary Medicine

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health, Jane Ellison, on 28 January (HC23930), how many responses Public Health England’s survey of local commissioning arrangements for sexual health has received (1) in total, (2) from local authorities (LA), (3) from NHS England, and (4) from Clinical Commissioning Groups; and what relationship that survey will have to the LA contraception tool.

Lord Prior of Brampton: To date Public Health England (PHE) has received 113 responses to its sexual health commissioning survey. The total number of responses received is broken down as follows: 103 local authorities (from a total of 152), seven National Health Service regions (from a total of 13) and three clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) (from a total of 229). PHE is actively exploring options to ensure that CCGs are appropriately represented; the options under consideration are reissuing of the survey, surveying a representative sample, or direct interview with CCGs. There is no relationship between the commissioning survey and any local authority contraception tool.

Genito-urinary Medicine

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to publish the findings of Public Health England’s survey of local commissioning arrangements for sexual health.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Public Health England plans to publish the findings of the commissioning survey for sexual health, reproductive health and Human Immunodeficiency Virus in summer 2016.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are any other circumstances in which 2,500/100,000 serious adverse events and 3,300/100,000 cases of autoimmune disorders, as reported by the human papilloma virus vaccine manufacturers, would be accepted in order to try to prevent the occurrence of 10/100,000 cases of cervical cancer.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Thorough reviews undertaken by health authorities, most recently by the World Health Organization in December 2015, across the world have found no evidence to support a link between the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine and the development of autoimmune and chronic illnesses. The safety of HPV vaccines was thoroughly evaluated prior to being licensed. Around three million girls have been vaccinated so far in the United Kingdom, with more than 80 million people vaccinated worldwide. As with any vaccine or medicine, all reports of serious adverse events following HPV vaccination are taken seriously and remain under continual review. However, such events are not necessarily due to the vaccine and coincidence can also be a factor. The available scientific evidence does not suggest that HPV vaccines are associated with these rates of serious side effects. The aim of the vaccination programme is to prevent cervical cancer related to HPV infection and the best way to do this is to vaccinate girls and young women. The HPV vaccine has a good safety record, and surveillance shows it has contributed to a significant decrease in rates of infection with the two main cancer-causing HPVs. The UK programme is expected to eventually prevent hundreds of deaths from cervical cancer every year.

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Lord Chadlington: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to educate the 2.5 million people who consume more than the new weekly recommended limit for alcohol in a single day, in the light of the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Public Health England's 'One You' adult health campaign (launched this month) aims to help adults understand their alcohol consumption and take appropriate action. It also focuses on quitting smoking, healthier diets and exercise. The campaign provides information online, including tailored advice and, for example, a Drinks Tracker app.

Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are (1) the set up costs, and (2) the running costs, of the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch.

Lord Prior of Brampton: In the first year, the setting up costs and the running costs of the Healthcare Safety Investigations Branch will be £3.6 million. The Healthcare Safety Investigations Branch will sit within NHS Improvement and therefore other costs, such as premises and back office functions, will be met by NHS Improvement. The budgets of arm’s length bodies are agreed on an annual basis, subject to business planning. The budget for the Healthcare Safety Investigations Branch will be set through this process.

Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch will be responsible for overseeing the National Reporting and Learning System.

Lord Prior of Brampton: The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch will not be responsible for overseeing the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS). The national safety functions, including the responsibility for overseeing the NRLS, will be transferring to NHS Improvement from 1 April 2016. The Government announced this decision in July 2015.

Strategic Projects Team: Consultants

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether consultants contracted by the NHS Strategic Projects Team to give advice to Clinical Commissioning Groups on procurement processes are liable to financial penalties in the event of failures in those processes.

Lord Prior of Brampton: NHS England has advised the Department that such advice and support was delivered by employees of the Strategic Projects Team rather than consultants and that in these circumstances financial penalties would not be applicable.

Junior Doctors: Overseas Workers

Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what statistical data is kept centrally by the Department of Health on the number of junior doctors trained in England and Wales who resign from NHS hospital employment and take up appointments overseas.

Lord Prior of Brampton: The Department does not hold any statistical data on the number of junior doctors trained in England and Wales who resign from National Health Service hospital employment and take up appointments overseas.

Junior Doctors: Resignations

Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether NHS Trusts record the reasons provided by junior doctors when they resign from NHS hospitals.

Lord Prior of Brampton: National Health Service trusts that use the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) have the facility to record reasons for leaving for all staff. The Health and Social Care Information Centre publish quarterly reasons for leaving statistics based on ESR data but it is not broken down by staff group.

NHS: Migrant Workers

Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what statistical data is kept centrally by the Department of Health on staff requirements met by the recruitment from overseas of (1) doctors, and (2) nurses.

Lord Prior of Brampton: The Health and Social Care Information Centre collects data on staff working in National Health Service hospital and community health services. Nationality is a self-reported field within the electronic staff record system and data for 2015 shows that 27,279 doctors, including locums, self-reported as non-British and 47,190 nurses, midwives and health visitors self-reported as non-British.

Vaccination

Baroness Greengross: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that the section 7a agreement between the Department of Health and NHS England is automatically updated to reflect recommendations made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

Lord Prior of Brampton: The Section 7A public health functions agreement is updated on an annual basis, at which point any new recommendations from relevant expert committees, including the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation (JCVI), are taken into account.   If the JCVI makes a recommendation which is urgent, for example in the case of a public health emergency, the agreement can be amended in-year by agreement between the Department and NHS England.